What is Journal of American Sign Languages and Literatures (JASLL)?

JASLL is a website for scholarly works to be published in a video-based medium, using signed language as the primary language of the journal.

What are the publication dates or cycles?

JASLL informally launched in 2011 with contributions to ASLized! With time, we decided to evolve JASLL into a formal academic peer-reviewed annual journal. All publications from 2011 to 2016 are placed in Volume 1. In September 2017, we will formally publish the first annual peer-reviewed issue with the hope of offering both general and special issues centered on themes.

What do I need to do to prepare a video for submission?

Film a video draft that most closely resembles your final product for Journal reviewers. Once you receive feedback from the reviewers, shoot your final video for publication. Videos should be recorded on high definition video recording equipment and edited using video editing software. If you do nothave access to high-definition video recording equipment or video editing software but your draft has been approved by the reviewers, JASLL and ASLized! will work together to help you film and edit a professionally shot video.

Which citation format do you require for publication?

We accept Modern Language Association (MLA) citation and format style and to learn more about it, visit https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/. All references for published submissions listed in this journal will be in MLA style.

What determines selection and publication?

Our review process is three-tiered. The Editors screens submissions for content. If the content aligns with the purpose of JASLL, the submission is then forwarded to an associate editor on the editorial board to begin the peer-review process. The peer-review process is conducted by at least three reviewers with academic backgrounds relevant to the content of the submission. Each reviewer completes an objective assessment and returns the comments to the associate editor with recommendations for revisions and publication. Review recommendations will be one of the following: Accept Without Revisions; Accept with Minor Revisions – This means that the submission is almost ready for publication with slight changes; Accept with Major Revisions – This means that reviewers have found a significant but correctable problem. Major revisions might include but are not limited to reframing or clarifying interpretations; Revise and Resubmit – This means the submission shows promise, but substantial revisions are necessary in several ways (e.g., its design, rationale, and/or style); Reject – This means the submission is not suitable for publication in JASLL.

How many pieces can I submit?

Submit as many pieces as you want! We look forward to working with you!

What will be considered acceptable for submission?

We accept submissions with the understanding that they are the original work of the author and that they have not been submitted for publication elsewhere including both academic and non-academic outlets such as other journals e.g. Deaf Studies Digital Journal or social media outets such as YouTube. If your video submissions have already been published, they will not be accepted for JASLL. For example, if you produce a video, upload to YouTube, and share publicly on social media, then this is no longer considered “original” work. For an “original” work to be “original”, the video needs to be created and submitted directly to JASLL. Some of you may have published your work in text format, e.g. with a text-based journal, and are interested in translating your work into ASL for submission to JASLL. This will be considered original work, as the content is being presented for the first time in a signed language. You will be responsible for seeking permission from the original publisher for the published translation, and supplying evidence of this permission to JASLL. We will honor the original publication by adding a line to your ASL publication explaining where the content was originally published.

Is there a format preference for journals?

Upload your videos to YouTube and share the videos with us using the submission form. Make sure your posts are unlisted, meaning only those with the link can view and comment on your videos. We recommend you make a rough video draft first, collect our feedback, then create your final version.

For scholarly works, we recommend you dress professionally wearing clothing that contrasts with your skin tone for greater visual accessibility.

How do I submit my article or literature?

If you have not done so already, please read our journal guidelines before submitting a journal for evaluation. Submit your journal for evaluation here.

What happens if my article or literature piece is rejected?

Our editors provide specific feedback for improvement and recommend future steps. Sometimes we recommend your video be published with ASLized! as is, or recommend you revise and re-submit to JASLL.

What is the difference between JASLL and ASLized!?

JASLL is a site for scholarly works, including original, unique literary pieces, peer-reviewed and published in a journal format. ASLized! is similar to a magazine, with a more casual review process, and a site for budding authors to practice submitting published works.

What is the relationship between JASLL and ASLized!?

ASLized! is a non-profit organization that provides web services specifically for the publication of sign language pieces, and ASLized! supports the JASLL infrastructure (what you see online) and maintains the website.

What happens after my article or literature has been accepted?

Pop a champagne and put your hands up (instead of your feet, smile) to celebrate! The web editor will be in touch to make sure all the final touches (e.g. author name, tags, and references for your work are correct).

Are captions and transcripts available for videos?

The JASLL review process includes a section where the editors determine the feasibility (and appropriateness) of including captions and transcripts. Some literary works in sign language do not have an appropriate English equivalent. For the majority of our submissions, we aim to make our work accessible. Please let us know if you’d like to volunteer with text and image descriptions and/or captions.

How do I cite an open access article or literature?

We follow the Modern Language Association (MLA) format in citing and referencing in all of our video submissions. To cite an article published in JASLL, please look next to the video, where the full reference is listed.

How can I report a technical problem with the site?

Please contact us at contact@aslized.org if you see technical problems with the site.

I’d love to participate! How do I become involved with JASLL?

We need studios, people who can film, film equipment, sign translators (translating from print to sign), and captioners. We also welcome board members with particular skill sets that can help evaluate submissions. Contact us at contact@aslized.org.